Everyday life in pictures

I've had a couple of feeling-better days this week, so I finally got more photos off the camera and into the blog.

Last week we had a few days of sun and slightly warmer weather, and the flowers are starting to come up. Last summer this place was so beautiful with flowers, so I can't wait. Our gardener, who is our neighbor and the brother of our landlady, cut everything way back in January, but it's growing quite a bit. I'm anxious to see what that means for our rose bushes and hydrangeas.


Evenings have become pretty routine around here, but sometimes Zach gets a second wind and can be really funny. He especially likes for Frank to hang out and play with him. And while he never stays focused on any one toy or game for too long, this phone has been a great distraction at times. Thanks, Emily!


One thing that has changed our dinner routine a bit was the purchase of a little BBQ grill. In the past week we have grilled (and greatly enjoyed!) hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks.

Something quite unexpected happened last weekend: Zach took a late-afternoon nap with me on the couch. To be able to relax on the couch, with a quiet toddler, for over an hour, and surf on the computer, AND watch American Idol on TV was definitely a highlight of my weekend.

And how could I leave out our playgroup adventures? Those outings are chaotic, to say the least, but he seems to enjoy going.

Out for a walk

Last week we decided to go for a walk since the weather was nice. And we decided to let Zach walk and see how far he got. Not far, it turns out, but here's a video of him exploring our street.

Daddy carried him to the end of our street to see some farm animals, but he was getting kind of tired at that point:

And I couldn't resist taking a couple of photos of that cute pouty face.

I have more photos to post, hopefully tomorrow, just of us around the house recently. I am starting to feel a little more like myself, but I'm still trying to rest as much as possible.

a short story, but a big deal

I'm sick. I'm tired (an extreme understatement). I'm two months pregnant.

We are very excited about becoming a family of four in mid-October, or maybe September if Baby #2 takes after Zach.

Oh, he's got no idea what's coming!

Ack! It's been almost two weeks!

Hello from Lazytown, also known as our living room. Zachary and I have had a pretty miserable day with colds, and though he took two naps today, I couldn't breathe well enough to get comfortable. So this is just a quick hello, to let you know that we are still here, doing our thing. Like going to playgroup (twice a week now-Zach has friends!) and trying to watch reality shows before we hear about the results online. Seriously, with our delay of getting some shows, I avoid MSN.com like the plague. And I'm sorry I have no photos (well, you know I have tons of photos, but no new-ish ones). They are still on my camera while we wait for my new computer with more memory. I know, in the last two weeks I could have moved some stuff around, but remember I said that I was in Lazytown? Maybe once this cold blows over...

My favorite gift

The best of many things that Frank gave me today: a two-hour nap. Made this tired mama very happy.
Zachary says Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!

Today is the day I'll say it

He's really walking now.
He's been toddling non-stop all day, falling along the way and getting right back up. And he's fast... I think we're in trouble now!

My visit with Jen

It seems that so much has been happening lately with Jen, and not so much here, so I thought I would post a few photos from our last visit. I left the boys in St. Louis and hopped a plane for Jen's house, if only for a brief 72 hours. As always, though, we were able to do quite a lot in that time:

We celebrated New Year's Eve with Andy's sister and brother-in-law, ate fondue, and watched the ball drop.

We found time for a craft project or two...

There was even a surprise baby shower!

And of course there was lots of time for talking, catching up, showing off pictures, and most of all, taking pictures. Jen was happy to let me practice my photography on her belly! Over the few days we must have taken hundreds of pics, and some of them are on her blog. These are a couple of my favorites:

We had a wonderful time focusing on everything baby!

Oh, and if you want to know what she and Andy are naming the twins, check out her blog here!